It was a bumpy ride down into the planet, and an even bumpier landing. But they made it in one piece, and surprisingly, there was only minor damage to the ship. "I still do not think I'm going to keep it, though," Zylex said to Lizzie as they gathered around the exit. "It has a curse on it."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DkRVAK6yv

Lizzie thought at first it was a joke (a dark joke, but a joke nonetheless) but the serious expression on his face said otherwise. As did the tone in his mind.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZTnEfDcU9

"Most likely just coincidence," Becka said dismissively as she adjusted her glasses. "Besides, I saw that episode. I doubt a voodoo doll made you sleep with two guys at once."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB4HYJWCVR

Zylex looked at them quizzically. "Are women not allowed to sleep with multiple men?"copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpupO7DeOg

Two red spots formed on Ella's cheeks, though whether it was from anger or embarassment, Lizzie didn't know. What she did know, that from the alien's mind, she could tell he was thinking of a different kind of sleep.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoXWkvyQOg

~They aren't talking about THAT kind of sleep~copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBR0jPKgsF

-What other kinds are there?-copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e5CDUJh9x

~...never mind~copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqWvmg1V7P

"Okay, how about we focus on the important matter at hand and get out of this hunk of metal?" Lizzie said, quickly changing the subject. "Besides, you shouldn't talk like that around the kids."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4r25LSP1k

The younger children were muttering "sleep with two guys at once?" amongst themselves. Lizzie sighed and tried to fight the urge to facepalm herself.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8yBLcvuuF

Zylex still looked puzzled, but he opened the hatch, which fell to a dusty ground and formed a ramp. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ125Yxsfznm

They made their way down, one at a time, each hesitate about the new surface they were stepping on. It had been known to them that the air was breathable, but years of science fiction had made them cautious. As soon as they filled their lungs with air, they calmed a little.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyqRBwCtlE

Their first look at the new planet was not what they expected. Meaning, it looked exactly like their planet. Green grass, brown dirt, yellow sun, and blue sky. The only main difference that they could see was the lack of buildings. There wasn't a house to be seen for miles.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQNnsyzY23

However, when Lizzie caught Zylex staring in the opposite direction, with a relieved smile on his face, she turned to see what he was looking at, and caught sight of something extraordinary. "It's beautiful!" she gasped. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡD46I3Ebidy

Massive trees with thick brown trunks reached high in the sky with leaves a beautiful shade of blue. A shade lighter, and they would match the sky. It was a forest full of them, that stretched back further than Lizzie could see. The width of the forest was strange, as it only stretched just a few feet past the ship, which made it about 125-150 feet long. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡED75uIC7cX

"It used to be bigger," Zylex said, answering her wondering mind. "Ever since we won the war, and Nexus became a free planet, our population grew. Many races came here for freedom and escape. Of course, they needed the trees to make their homes. I'm just glad I did not crash into it."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0Oyog7Xea

"What was the war about?"copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Sf7AiLLAZ

He smiled, but his eyes had a sadness about them. "I'll tell you later. I should call Rezavy." He grabbed a hold of the golden device hanging around his neck, and pushed a black button protruding from the side. Lizzie watched curiously, as the screen lit up with pictures and strange lettering. He used it like a smartphone, scrolling through the pictures and names with his finger. A picture of an older dark-skinned man with graying hair, and red tattoos racing down his face, appeared. Zylex clicked on that picture.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfCsl7aXen

So that's Retavy.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0oJyM0GKe

-ReZavy. He doesn't like his name to be mispronounced-copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL76THoFtY

The mind reading was interesting, but it was starting to ride on Lizzie's nerves. She was a person who enjoyed her privacy, and this was the ultimate privacy invasion. The excitement over this newfound ability was definitely over.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOdigyprvD

He seemed to feel her irritation and grinned apologetically. "It is getting a little annoying."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqDdacZaTJ

"Vud el?" a deep voice came from the device.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJvwQpde5H

"Um, never mind, Rezavy. I was talking to-"copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKvq3MZsdv

"Hello there." Lizzie cut in and waved as she smooshed her face against Zylex's to get a better view.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52WJf6WegP

At first, he simply glared. Then he spoke, with a cutting voice that silenced Lizzie's curious and chipper tone. "Leave from the camera, braza."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFzubpTpDZ

As Lizzie did, she noticed that the man wasn't wearing a head-piece in his ear, like Zylex was. He had a very thick accent, one that a husky sound behind it, a lot like the Russian accent, but not exactly.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QKDhNphfC

Also, she was pretty sure he had insulted her, from the reaction she sensed in Zylex's mind.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlFI5UO194

Rezavy continued speaking in a different language, his voice a hint softer. Zylex removed his ear piece and responded in the same tongue, then flashed his killer grin. The one that made the younger girls giggle, and the older females talk in hushed tones on the ship, and as they stood watching. Rezavy chuckled and said a few more lines. Lizzie saw the glow from the device fade out, and Zylex shut it off as he dropped it to hang around his neck once more.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7KqCVQvlu

"He is sending Yayce with one of the militia's crawlers...what you might call a 'car'," he announced to the group after attaching the headseat back into his pointed ear.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡvslf5C3vTj

"Is that going to be big enough for all of us?" Gina, a blonde thirteen year old, asked.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GENoKHdMQ

"It should be. It is fairly big." He glanced over at the ship, then looked back at them. "Half as big as the ship."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDY24AYU6j

"How long will it be? This sun is making me sweat," Georgia asked as she wiped her forehead in disdain.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCMKSSmVng

"Not too long." copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡevWTjlD1yp

Lizzie caught sight of him rolling his eyes and had to supress a giggle. That was a definitely a habit he picked up from her.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡSR3QT7rS2y

The "crawler", as he called it, looked like someone heavily decked out a four-wheeler and then mated it with a limousine. Like a four-wheeler, it had no roof and was open to the warm air. But unlike a ATV, it had five rows of seats, with five seats per row. It was painted a shimmering black with red stripes racing through the middle. It reminded Lizzie of Zylex's leader, Rezavy. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡcraYb2QyXe

The wheels themselves were huge enough, they stood the same size as one of the smaller children. They didn't appear to be made of rubber, like the wheels back on Earth, but made from shiny black material. When Lizzie traced a finger across the material, it felt slick and hard, like marble, but when she pushed finger into it, it had a little give. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcKL536J4F

In driver's seat (which was located on the left, in a European fashion) was a yellow man. That was the first description Lizzie got from him-yellow. His hair short military-style hair was as yellow as a school bus, as were the irises in his eyes. Even his skin seemed to have a pale yellow tinge to it. His clothing matched Zylex's, a long-sleeved buttoned black shirt and matching slacks with red buttons. Unlike Zylex's, there were several red patches sewn to the right breast of the shirt, with strange white colored insignia's printed on them. He had a pinched narrow face, his thin lips tightened into a straight line. Where a line of eyebrows usually laid, there was two circular patches on either side of where the bridge of nose ended. Those were also bright yellow, and upon further inspection, were made of hair. And I thought unibrows were weird.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WwcNpjeil

"Stop standing around and help the little welps into the crawler," the yellow man snapped with a snotty voice. He, like Rezavy, wasn't wearing the device that helped Zylex speak to the earthlings. His accent was light and snooty, pronouncing his o's and e's like aw, and leaving the r's completely out of the sentence.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuMXsXZjvX

"Yes, Yayce," Zylex answered and turned to Lizzie. "Will you help me get the children inside?" Mentally, he added -that's Yayce, Rezavy's second in command-copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk9i5flbZq

That explains the attitude. Is being a leader of this world that much of a hassle? she had meant it as a private thought, but could tell from Zylex's raised eyebrow that he had heard it. She shrugged at him indifferently.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8mnkaNDo5

After the older women, such as Georgia, Ella, Becka, and Gina climbed in, Lizzie and Zylex lifted the younger ones inside, while Ella and Gina helped get them settled. When they were all, Lizzie climbed into the very back seat and Zylex got into the passenger side beside the yellow man-also known as Yayce.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbzL81J8lf

The engine growled alive as it accelarated forward. The seats rumbled and vibrated from the power of it as moved across the bumpy soil and found a dirt road Lizzie hadn't noticed earlier.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TzfbFuxRt

"How long until we get there, mister?" Rachel, the youngest, raised her voice over the loud engine. "I have to potty!"copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIBl5WvSAU

Before Zylex could respond, Yayce responded with, "Little welps are better seen not heard." He didn't shout it, but the snapping tone in his voice was loud enough to reach even Lizzie in the back seat.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz5xlez5mU

Rachel whimpered and crossed her legs uncomfortably, her eyes filling with tears. Lizzie glared at the back of Yayce's head, but kept her mouth shut. In a strange land, she knew it wasn't a good idea to mouth off to the "second in command", whatever the hell that meant. Instead, she patted Rachel on the shoulder. "I'm sure it won't be too long." She purposely raised her voice and added, "If you can't make it, I'm sure there's somewhere we can stop. Otherwise, I guess you'll have to soil the seat."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡksOUH0Acyr

There wasn't a respond from the second in command, but she could see his body tense up. Zylex looked over at her and gave her just a hint of a smile. Perhaps he didn't care much for this stuck-up guy, either.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwaiRfem8O

It was only a ten-fifteen minute drive back to what Zylex referred to as "the base". On the way, they passed through a small village, with one-story houses made of wood and some sort of red mud, or perhaps clay. On each end of the village were signs that simply read: Nevu.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6omDJAcOX

"What's Nevu mean?" Ella asked curiously as she watched the natives roam around, talking to one another, hanging up garments on a clothesline, stopping at open markets. They only gave the crawler full of earthlings quick bored glances before going back to their business.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78pV37VDju

"It is the name of their race," Zylex answered. "They are relatively new to Nexus. Their planet is in a massive war with its own leaders, and they seek freedom."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ500fiRvwdD

"They seek only escape from their duties," Yayce said with disdain. "They turned their back on their home and ran away from fighting."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡluKJQosrAh

"Some people do not like to fight," Zylex replied. "Some do not like violence and bloodshed."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHpPDtWz6g

"You are so young and naiive." Lizzie could hear the complete arrogance and annoyance in Yayce's tone and couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cg3ryVW59

When they came upon the base, Lizzie and the rest of the earthlings took in the building with awe. It was as big as a castle, but with none of the elegance. Instead of towers and beautifully carved stone, it was a simple square shaped building made from a glittering black metal. Several red flags waved from the roof, with the same white insignias that were on the badges Yayce wore. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqDkauJDVj

Detached from the main building was a garage with several vehicles. There was a strange yellow vehicle that looked like a mixed breed of airplane and helicopter, but shrunk to the size of the average car. Next to it was a smaller version of the crawler they rode in, with only four seats. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl1kaFN7eU

They bypassed the garage and the crawler curved down a paved driveway that circled the large building. The back of the base was larger than the simple yard in the front. There was a large paved oval-shaped space bigger than a football field. Lines of large ships (though not nearly as large as the one they had traveled in), bigger versions of the airplane/helicopter thing from the garage, and crawlers filled the very back of the cemented field. Attached to the building were two more garages, one with a closed metal door, and another that was open. The inside appeared to be bigger than Lizzie's entire house, and several people dressed in greasy uniforms were working on a wheel-less crawler that was upside down.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh6Flxeguj

"We are going through the delivery door. Keep your filthy hands to yourself and go in one at a time." Yayce pulled a device from his pocket and pressed a button.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4K3pVx8yt

The closed garage door slid open, scraping metal against metal as it did. Zylex helped the younger ones off the crawler, then the older ones. "Stay with me. It's easy to get lost in this area."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡssOuMZ9z7n

"Would that not be a shame?" Yayce said with a sneer and walked on, leaving the group behind.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvFAa18ohC

Ella put her hands on her hips. "Okay, what the hell is that guy's problem?"copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHHsK7nigV

"He is a very strict man. Rezavy trained and mentored him himself, so I believe he took on some his attitude. He is originally from Tecne, a nearby planet, and I hear they are a very uptight strict society," Zylex explained with a lopsided grin. The grin seemed to say, yeah, he's an asshole, but take it in stride.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJoAdazmJG

Lizzie started to smile, because she was reminded of her own brother, Seth. He also had a tendency to be strict, sometimes even mean, but he always meant well. He was just the kind of guy who didn't like to show his emotions. Her smile didn't last long as her gut suddenly clenched with longing and homesickness. I miss him so much...I hope he's okay...copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡKecqOmrXKJ

"Alright, let us get inside. Rachel can use the facilities and we can meet with Rezavy." Zylex started into the large room, with the group of girls following close.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsriVcqjuG

The room was massive, and filled to the brim with assorted items and boxes. Gray metal walls were lined with shelves, of which everything was stacked high upon them. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡffpDQDNqZx

"Whoa..." Lizzie whistled as she stared up and up at the high ceiling in disbelief. "What is all this stuff?"copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KLiaAFCyq

"Many different things. Mainly things we don't have use for at the time, so they sit here in storage until we find a use, or sell/trade them with another planet."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8TNrPZR8t

"It's a system that was used before money was invented. Actually, it's still in use today, but in a much different manner," Becka explained. "Basically, you trade a good or service for another good or service that is equal. Say for example, I wanted to buy a cow from Lizzie. I couldn't just trade a pig for a cow, because a pig isn't worth a cow. So I could trade her two pigs, and a goat for a cow, because that's more equivalent."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYbM7BiRGr

Zylex stared at her momentarily before nodding slowly. "I think I understand. Yes, that is a lot of what we do...but I don't understand what a cow or pig is...or this 'goat'."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bVAAcsOtc

"A cow is a big animal that gives milk-a drink-and can be killed for meat. Same thing for a goat, but they're smaller. Pigs are more generally used for meat, but I suppose it can be possible to milk them, too."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡbetVIIIMyk

They all giggled as they continued on through the large storage room. Once again, Lizzie found her heart opening for this strange alien. She couldn't understand how she felt so open around this guy. Perhaps it was his gentle nature, or the way he grinned with such innocence. Or perhaps the way he was so easy-going. It was as if he was a child, and the world hadn't soiled his innocent spirit yet. Must be nice to still feel that way, she thought with a drop of bitterness. Perhaps his parents didn't have to die like mine did.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsvr25DvU7

After a good ten minute walk, they finally left the storage room and entered a corridor. These walls were also met gray and metal, as was the floor. The ceiling wasn't quite as high, but it was still a good four or five feet above Lizzie's head.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5la14TJQs

"We are in the militia soldiers' and workers' wing of the building. They have a larger facility so you can use the toilets and showers. This way, it's not much further."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HrnKdOni6

It wasn't very long until they reached a door that had a sign that read: Royla. "Here we are. This is the women's facilities, so I will wait out here." Zylex sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall opposite the bathroom door.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOybfBhT6c

Lizzie waited until the girls were all in the bathroom before sitting down next to the alien. "We have to talk about something."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OhmZjqS3h

-You mean this?-copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7ZMuJ0i6j

~Yes, this~ "It's weird," Lizzie said as she rested her arms on her raised knees. "I mean, it's weird for us earth people. I don't know about you guys..."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN7YZmzgfG

"It's my first time." Zylex crossed his legs together like a toddler at story time. "Though I have heard of it being done before. There's a mysterious planet we have traded with before that claimed they were able to do it with their own people."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgvKCu43m7

Lizzie raised her eyebrows. "But not with foreigners?"copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHfkuK4v3a

He shook his head. "They claimed it was not magic that they used, that it was simply just something they could do and others could not."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsYVrXh0ex

"So unless we're both somehow from their planet, that's definitely not the answer."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHNcsqGwt3

"We're not from there. They are green with scales and tails."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOLU9gEdLH

"Ew." Lizzie shuddered. copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡozanuBkMCz

"Zera does not like them, either."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjg8wJydg2

Lizzie opened her mouth to ask who Zera was, when the most gorgeous girl she had ever seen turned down their corridor. She had a full figure with breasts the size of grapefruits and curvy hips. Long blonde hair hung past her shoulder in perfect gentle waves, except for two braids that were tied around her head like a halo. A beautiful white dress flowed to her ankles, and under the harsh artifical lights, it was nearly see-through, but there was a slip underneath to protect from wandering eyes.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVR3P0jte4

"Zera," he replied, and smiled. Lizzie studied the smile, and thought there was something more than friendship between the two.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgSbopUXCb

When Zera caught sight of Zylex, she was suddenly a tornado as she flew past Lizzie without noticing her and embraced Zylex. She spouted out in the same language that Zylex and Rezavy used, hugging him closed. Zylex chuckled and whispered comforting words to her, but then added another sentence and pointed to Lizzie. Zera suddenly popped away from Zylex and stood very uncomfortably before her. Her sun-kissed cheeks burned red. "I am so sorry, Earthling. I-I did not see you there. I saw Zylex and just got...emotional." She did a slight curtsy and closed her hands together over her breasts.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T6RWVSgp6

Zylex grinned and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. -I'm not a very good at studying-copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZlkaKJ5Im

Zera had watched the two while they exchanged their mental conversations and gave them curious looks. But thankfully, she decided to ignore it. "Um, Daddy wants to see you guys as soon as possible. He has important calls to make today and doesn't have much time."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIfmzcistH

"Okay. Thank you, Zera. They should be done shortly." He looked to Lizzie. "You should do what you have to do now. Rezavy doesn't have much patience."copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOiiNe3W78

"Alrighty...um, thanks...you guys." Lizzie didn't dawdle and hurried into the restroom. Though there weren't any stalls, she was very pleased to see that their toilets weren't very different from the ones back on Earth. Well, that's at least one thing I won't have to worry about.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z7mTi7DnP

The girls had all finished using the toilets, and were in the showers, rinsing off weeks of filth, and the dust they had accumalated from going down the dusty roads in the crawler.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDxfZ7sizV

"Is the water warm?" she asked Ella, who was standing nude in front of the mirrors, wringing out her hair.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8JirxxutE

"Not to mention any shampoo or soap," Georgia complained as she joined them.copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK3l03ssl1

Adverting her eyes the best she could, Lizzie hurried to a toilet and relieved herself. She thought she would skip the shower for now. Dirt never bothered her all that much to begin with. Plus, how could she do anything over the rapid beating of her heart that was very afraid of meeting this Rezavy guy in person? Maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe Zylex was being dramatic?copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl97EAFb59

-I wasn't, and you are definitely not overreacting-copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIE4svcvuY

Lizzie's cheeks caught on fire. Though he wasn't there physically, he was there mentally. While she was on the toilet! ~Don't listen to me while I'm in the bathroom!~copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiJ0EJ37cp

-It was an accident!-copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ALjHpUnBZ

~Liar!~ copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsHawaGJGa

No response. Lizzie finished, wiped, and flushed, and went to the sinks to wash her hands. She studied her face in the mirror and was surprised not to see gray hairs or wrinkles. With a sigh, she rested her forehead on the cool glass. This is going to be fun...​copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡICtrC8bGfn

~Author's Note~ Okay, I lied. You didn't get to meet Rezavy yet. But this chapter is soooo long that I thought I should continue on to the next. Otherwise, this chapter would end up a short story lol. Hope you enjoyed! Like/comment please!copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oXRHFhB2S